A statewide campaign by the PSA has paid off, with starting salaries for Child Protection Caseworkers updated to better reflect the role they play in protecting vulnerable children in NSW.

All new Caseworkers will be uplifted from Grade 3 to Grade 4, and those already working will also receive the increase.

The uplifts, announced at the same time as the pay increases given to Public Sector workers, come after the PSA campaigned long and hard to address a shortage in staffing, poor wages, burnout and an outsourcing system that saw the State Government paying large amounts for what the union believes are poor outcomes. In some cases, children were left in the care of poorly trained agency staff for long stints in accommodation such as motels and caravan parks.

PSA General Secretary Stewart Little said at a press conference highlighting the crisis: “One in 10 Child Protection Caseworker positions in NSW are unfilled. On top of this 210 NSW child protection caseworkers – or 9 per cent of the total workforce – are currently absent due to workers compensation claims, mostly due to psychological injury. This represents 19 per cent of the Child Protection workforce.”

The PSA has also issued a call via the media for “businesses profiting from the care of children removed from their parents need to be banished and the system returned to the Public Sector”.

Despite requiring a completed or near-complete Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Social Science and Welfare along with practical experience, the entry level grade for a Child Protection Officer was Clerk Grade 3.

The PSA has argued this is too low to attract graduates into important, and very demanding work. Indeed many Caseworkers would do one year with Community Services, then go elsewhere for a position with a non-government operator for more pay and a smaller number of cases.
But the Government has now listened.

The Minister for Community Services, Kate Washington has admitted there are many improvements to be made, including recruitment and retention.

In addition to the pay and grading increases, the State Government has established ‘care cottages’ where children in need will be looked after by Child Protection staff.
“These wins prove the strength of union power,” said PSA Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright. “The campaign covered vast swathes of the state, involved thousands of column inches in NSW newspapers and plenty of time on the airwaves in radio stations all over.

“The simple message – Child Protection in Crisis – resonated with a state tired of the rundown of public services due to inefficient outsourcing.

“I urge our members to check in with new Caseworkers to talk to them about the benefits of joining the PSA, and that they are receiving the correct rate.”